Symmetry of the Human Head—Are Symmetrical Models More Applicable in Numerical Analysis?

Abstract

The study of symmetrical and non-symmetrical effects in physics, mathematics, mechanics, medicine, and numerical methods is a current topic due to the complexity of the experiments, calculations, and virtual simulations. However, there is a limited number of research publications in computational biomechanics focusing on the symmetry of numerical head models. The majority of the models in the researched literature are symmetrical. Thus, we stated a hypothesis wherever the symmetrical models might be more applicable in numerical analysis. We carried out in-depth studies about head symmetry through clinical data, medical images, materials models, and computer analysis. We concluded that the mapping of the entire geometry of the skull and brain is essential due to the significant differences that affect the results of numerical analyses and the possibility of misinterpretation of the tissue deformation under mechanical load results.

Keywords

• finite element head model
• symmetry
• head biomechanics
• brain
• skull
• human asymmetry